Protecting Human Life

Early Human Life

Life begins at the moment of conception. Scientists recognise the significance of this moment. They agree that what existed before, a sperm and an egg, is not the same as exists after fertilisation.

And yet, certain scientists see personal gain as justification enough to exploit the human embryo. Claiming to act for the good of humanity, they exploit the unborn child as a mere storeroom for stem cells, stripping them away for spare parts and killing the child in the process.

Making and destroying life in this way is intrinsically and morally wrong. And it’s bad science. Recent research shows that adult stem cells are a more beneficial method of treatment.

The Mother & Child Campaign vigorously opposed Irish MEPs who supported the use of European Union funds for embryo research. We have successfully fought off an attempt to remove constitutional protection from pre-implanted embryos, and continue to closely monitor developments which may threaten the protection of human life from conception.

Project Example: Life Begins at Conception

Type

This was the first nationwide advertising campaign focusing on early human life.

Objective

It created public awareness of the need to protect human life from the moment of fertilisation and the immorality of embryo research.

How

Advertising billboards carried the message across the country. Our leaflet explained the issues to more than 150,000 people and created a new understanding of the abuses of embryo and embryonic stem-cell research.

The Right to Life

Every child is precious. That's why abortion is always wrong. Our children are the best thing about us; from their first gummy smile to their little dimpled knees, they remind us of what's good about the World.

The most amazing fact of life is that every baby is a unique individual from the moment of conception. Whether she has curly hair or the fastest sprint in the class - it's all decided in that first moment of life. The next nine months in the womb simply allows that little human time to grow and get ready for birth.

But some children never get beyond the womb. They, and their mothers, become victims of the abortion industry.

The Life Institute are dedicated to keeping Ireland abortion free. We work to protect mothers and babies from abortion. Our promise is always to be uncompromisingly pro-life, in all circumstances - for the sake of our mothers and babies.

Project Example: Never a Need Campaign

Type

An all-inclusive campaign using mass media, billboard and bus advertising, information booklets and public meetings.

Objective

Presenting to the Irish people the medical facts which prove that there is never a medical need for abortion.

How

Billboard and bus advertisements reinforced the message being carried by media interviews and information booklets. The campaign dispelled the myth that abortion was a medical necessity.

End of Life Issues

Every person’s life is of great value – and their right to life exists from conception until natural death. Euthanasia deliberately hastens or ends a person's life by action or omission. It undermines the sick, the elderly and the vulnerable by claiming that that their life may no longer be worth living.

The Life Institute opposes euthanasia because it is the deliberate killing of innocent human beings; it debases the value of the lives of sick, vulnerable and elderly people; and it puts doctors in the role of killers. The experience of other jurisdictions, such as the Netherlands, is that once euthanasia is legalized, the number of people being killed by involuntary euthanasia – death without the patient’s consent – continues to rise.

In 2009 Life Institute (then the Mother and Child Campaign) produced the first Irish advertising campaign opposing euthanasia. It followed moves by an EU Parliament grouping ALDE to promote euthanasia across all EU member states. It also referred to the decision by the HSE to invite euthanasia campaigner Len Doyal to Cork University Hospital to lecture doctors and nurses on “Why Euthanasia Should be legalized”.

The advert ran in major national and local newspapers and complementary leaflets were also distributed in targeted areas.

Project Example: Stop Euthanasia

Type

An advertising campaign using newspapers and other media.

Objective

In 2009 Life Institute (then the Mother and Child Campaign) produced the first Irish advertising campaign opposing euthanasia. It followed moves by an EU Parliament grouping ALDE to promote euthanasia across all EU member states. It also referred to the decision by the HSE to invite euthanasia campaigner Len Doyal to Cork University Hospital to lecture doctors and nurses on “Why Euthanasia Should be legalized.”

How

The advert ran in major national and local newspapers and complementary leaflets were also distributed in targeted areas.

“Thank you for running this message. It’s good to see someone speaking out against the view that sick people or the elderly are a burden.”Tom, Retired Teacher, Cork